After years of modest, incremental expansion, Walmart will accelerate the rollout of its Neighborhood Market format next year as part of an effort to penetrate untapped domestic markets with smaller stores.

Dollar Tree Inc. has signed a definitive agreement to purchase Dollar Giant Store Ltd., a Vancouver, British Columbia-based chain of 85 stores that operates in British Columbia, Ontario, Alberta and Saskatchewan.

Retailers and consumer advocates are calling the federal government’s recent agreement by credit card companies to change their fee structures a historic action that will benefit merchants and shoppers across the country.